Interview

ENG – MUTEK Montreal 16th | Nocturne 2: Richard Devine

MUTEK launches into its 16th edition with 5 nonstop days of internationally recognized artistic excellence, running from May 27 to 31 at Montréal’s Musée d’Art Contemporain (MAC) and various other venues in the heart of the city. Expect another year of mind and body bending artistry operating at the leading edge of technology, music, digital creativity and live performance. The Art-Facto team had the chance to put some questions to Richard Devine one of the brightest and most respected names on sound design and synthesis worldwide.

Richard Devine Live – Press Photo

According to you what makes MUTEK such a unique festival ? Mutek is wonderful in that it concentrates on more abstract visual and music artists. I always see the lineup each year and see that they are really trying to push the boundaries in these two areas. I really respect that they don’t just book popular current EDM type acts and focus more on the art, and in trying to bring a new experience to everyone that attends.

MUTEK Montreal 2014

As we know, you use a lot of analog gear, what are your thoughts on analog vs. digital? Does it influence your creative process ? I like to think that I use a bit of both at this point in time. I would say 50 percent is analog driven while the other half is digital controlled. I use a combination in my live show where some of my modules are completely digital, and then some are completely analog. Some are sequenced by digital controllers, and others by analog memory sequencers. I find that the hybrid of technology brings many new possibilities and sounds.

Richard Studio Modular – Press Photo

You worked with many great producers, is there anyone you are still looking to work with in the future ? Wow, there are so many people that I respect and love. I guess if it had to be anyone it would be Morton Subtonick, I have always been a huge fan of what he does, and his music has left a lasting impression on me.

Richard Devine Modular – Press Photo

Which artists’ performances would you recommend during MUTEK festival?I would definitely see Atom Heart, Mika Vainio and Pole. I have always enjoyed these artists and their live performances always bring something new and interesting.

What parts of the creation process do you find the most difficult and what comes easiest for you?I think that the most difficult part of my creative process is trying new things, and pushing myself to make interesting but challenging music. That can be hard sometimes due to trying to learn new technology, and then adapting new techniques. So I guess there is a lot of self-discipline and long hours involved. I think the easy things come more often from all the time you put in, eventually something interesting is bound to happen. I always believe in the 10,000 hours of practice; with anything you will, with time, achieve mastery in a field.

How has your creative process changed over time ?

I think my creative process has now gotten much more organized as I have gotten older. I have also realized that simplicity is sometimes the better way to solve creative problems. I often try to restrain myself now and see what I can creatively do with just a few elements rather than using 100 elements and not knowing what to do with everything. Having too many options at your fingertips isn’t always a good thing. I oftentimes spend more time trying to figure out what I am going to use, when I should be focusing on creating. Also allowing more things to breathe and taking things away rather than adding every little element I hear. I have been trying to apply these principles of design in my recent works lately.

Modular Lights – Press Photo

Why did you choose a career in art, what are the biggest challenges you have faced during all these years ? I guess the biggest challenges for me were time management and also knowing when to step away from a creative project. There have been many times when I am approached by someone to work on a cool project. I often have to ask myself if I will have enough time to do this, and do something that will really be good for both parties involved. I chose to do this because it’s my passion and what I love to do. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else in life.

Richard Devine – Press Photo 2011

What advice would you have for young and upcoming artists?

First I will say that I will be a student for life, and that you should strive to do something different even if it goes against the grain. Being totally different and unique is what sets one artist apart from the next. There seem to be a lot of trends going on, following the current sound of popular electronica. I say it’s more important to make your own style and try to break into something new :-0)